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U.S. Health Care Under Trump: Former Medicaid/Medicare Chiefs Square Off

Where is health care in the U.S. headed under the Trump administration? What do recent changes mean, and how will they affect consumers? Where should we be heading and why?

Now that the American Health Care Act (AHCA) has passed in the House, health care reform remains a hotter topic than ever. House Speaker Paul Ryan has proposed turning Medicare into a voucher program and funding Medicaid through block grants to states. Conservatives claim these changes would provide greater choice to consumers and more value to the federal budget, while progressives argue that they would reduce access to care for older and poorer Americans and worsen health outcomes.

We’ll hear from two former heads of these programs, one from each side of the aisle. Andy Slavitt recently stepped down as acting Administrator of the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services under President Barack Obama. Dr. Gail Wilensky held the same post under President George H.W. Bush. Both experts continue to speak out from differing perspectives on Medicare and Medicaid as well as broader reform issues. Zetema Project Chair Mark Zitter will moderate a spirited discussion on the problems and prospects of US healthcare.